BITTER Dutchman Richard Witschge has turned up the heat for tomorrow's England versus Holland Euro 96 showdown by launching a savage attack on Blackburn.

In a Sunday newspaper article the Dutch star - who failed to impress after joining Rovers' title-winning side on loan - accused English footballers of having no skill, flair and class.

And with sour comments sure to infuriate Ewood Park fans - he launched a bitter assault on the town and his former club - including old mate Graeme Le Saux.

Now Rovers fans will be hoping goal king Alan Shearer will make the arrogant star eat his words tomorrow night in the crucial Group A showdown.

The Dutch Big Mouth claimed: "When I came to England I could not believe what I saw. I was raised among the sights of Amsterdam.

"I had played and lived in beautiful Barcelona and Bordeaux. But Blackburn is so poor and ugly.

"I couldn't bear to live there one more day - the people looked so poor. It was the same in Liverpool. I wanted to play in England but you can't do that to your family. The only place to play in England is London."

The outspoken Witschge hardly got a kick in the Premiership at Ewood - and made just one league appearance.

He blasted: 'I can't understand why Blackburn bothered to sign me because I was just sitting in the dug-out all the time," he added.

"I watched so many games when they were just crying out for a play-maker out there, someone who could hold on to the ball and play the killer pass.

"I can do that but at Blackburn every ball had to be played up to the front as soon as possible."

"Le Saux was playing in the team ahead of me. But he was just a simple left-back - everybody could see that.

"He didn't have the skills to play in my position in midfield. He really struggled when he had the ball. He's just a worker like most English players.

"When Blackburn became champions there were 16 medals and I was number 16 on the list. But I left the honour to the injured Jason Wilcox. I haven't got the medal - he has it."

Rovers will open their FA Carling Premiership programme against Tottenham Hotspur at Ewood Park on August 17.

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